WHAT TO EXPECT

Philip and Denise Goldstein

December 30th, 2024 – February 2nd, 2025

Your exciting journey to Southeast Asia is on the horizon, and it’s sure to be a trip to remember. Please read the following document carefully as it contains important information to help you prepare for the adventure ahead. If you have any questions at all, simply let us know!

The Destinations

What to Expect of the Tour

Get ready to embark on an exciting private 34-day trip across Southeast Asia, a region where ancient traditions meet modern life and nature’s beauty shines in every corner. From the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the peaceful beaches of Phuket, this journey promises to be as unforgettable as it is genuine. You’ll wander through the charming streets of Hoi An, explore the imperial treasures of Hue, marvel at the incredible Angkor Wat in Cambodia, experience the energy of Singapore, and cruise the stunning waters of Bai Tu Long Bay. Each destination is filled with experiences that will stay with you long after the trip ends.

Facts About Vietnam

• Population: 97.47 million people
• Religion: Predominantly 75% of Vietnamese engage in folk traditions such as ancestor veneration or praying to deities, with only 15% practicing Buddhism. Smaller minorities of Catholics, Protestants, and followers of Cao Dai also exist.
• Languages: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. While English is somewhat understood in tourist areas, it is less frequently spoken in local and rural communities.
• History: Vietnam’s history is characterized by long periods of Chinese rule, a century of French colonization, and significant conflict during the 20th century, yet it has remained an independent nation with a distinct cultural heritage.
• Politics: Vietnam is a socialist republic with a single-party system, governed by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The President, Lương Cường, serves as the head of state, representing Vietnam on the international stage, while the Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the government.

Facts About Cambodia

• Population: 16.94 million people
• Religion: Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist, with around 97% of the population following Theravada Buddhism, which deeply influences daily life, traditions, and ceremonies. The remaining population includes small percentages of Christians, Muslims, and practitioners of indigenous animist beliefs.
• Languages: Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is widely spoken throughout the country. English is commonly used in tourist areas and among younger generations, while older populations may also speak French.
• History: Cambodia’s history is marked by the grandeur of the Khmer Empire, which built the world-renowned Angkor Wat, and the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge regime in the late 20th century. Despite its tumultuous past, Cambodia has preserved its rich cultural heritage and is rebuilding as a thriving nation.
• Politics: Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. The current monarch, King Norodom Sihamoni, serves as the symbolic head of state, while Prime Minister Hun Manet oversees the government and administrative functions.

Facts About Singapore

• Population: 5.7 million people
• Religion: Singapore has a diverse religious landscape, with Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism, and Hinduism all being practiced. No single religion is predominant.
• Languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil are the official languages of Singapore. English is the main language of business and administration and is widely spoken and understood.
• History: Before its modern history began with the establishment of a British trading post by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, Singapore was known as Temasek and was a bustling trading port in the 14th century. It briefly joined Malaysia in 1963 before gaining full independence in 1965, transforming into one of the world’s most prosperous and advanced economies.
• Politics: Singapore is a parliamentary republic with a Westminster system of unicameral parliamentary government. The President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, is the country’s head of state, and the Prime Minister, Lawrence Wong, is the head of government. Known for its stability and efficient governance, Singapore’s political system emphasizes rule of law and a commitment to economic development.

Facts About Thailand

• Population: 71.6 million people
• Religion: The predominant religion is Buddhism, practiced by about 93% of the population. There are also small minorities of Muslims, Christians, and Hindus.
• Languages: Central Thai (Siamese) is the official language of Thailand. While English is commonly understood in tourist areas, it is less frequently spoken in local communities.
• History: Thailand boasts a rich history with its ancient kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. Over the years, it’s the only Southeast Asian nation never to be colonized by European powers.
• Politics: Thailand is a constitutional monarchy under the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. While the country operates with a parliamentary system, the King’s influence is extensive, highlighting the unique blend of tradition and modernity in Thai governance.

Travel / Entry

Entry Requirements

You will need a passport to travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Thailand. Your passport should be valid until at least August 2025 and it should have 4 full empty pages.

• VIETNAM – You will require a tourist visa to visit Vietnam. However, we will handle the application process for you and send you your E-Visa before your trip.

• CAMBODIA – You will also need a tourist visa to visit Cambodia. However, we will handle the e-Visa process for you and send you your visas as soon as they are processed.

• SINGAPORE – Citizens of the USA can enter Singapore without a visa for stays of less than 90 days. As a result, no preparations are needed.

• THAILAND – Citizens of the USA can enter Thailand without a visa for stays of less than 30 days. As a result, no preparations are needed for Thailand.

Arrival and Departure Information

Please note that for this tour you should arrive at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and depart from the Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand, as these are the most convenient airports for this journey.

Preparation

Accommodation and Transportation

For this tour you’ll stay in 4* and 5* hotels and resorts, a highly-rated boutique hotel in Phong Nha, a 1-night boat cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay, and a luxurious glamping hotel in the Asoke Valley.

Throughout your journey, you’ll experience a variety of transportation methods tailored to each destination. You’ll travel by private car, short flights, ferries and scenic boat tours. In Singapore, you’ll navigate the city using its efficient public transportation system as this is the easiest and quickest way to get around. These chosen methods will ensure the best possible experience in every destination.

Immunization

None of the countries you’ll be visiting require any specific immunizations. However, it is always worthwhile to consult with a healthcare professional about any optional vaccinations that might be beneficial for you during the tour. These may include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Malaria and Meningitis.

Money

Here are the local currencies for each destination you’ll visit:

To exchange money, the best method is via ATM machines which can be found in all cities and towns. If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD to exchange at money exchange offices that are located in all of the big cities.

*Credit cards are widely accepted in most places throughout these countries. However, in smaller local restaurants and traditional stores, cash might still be the preferred payment method.

*While US dollars are accepted everywhere in Cambodia, for the other countries, USD is not accepted. You will need local currency for Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand.

As for tipping, it is not as common as in the West but in some cases it is expected. Here’s a general guideline:

• Restaurants – 10% – 15% if a service charge is not already added to the bill
• Hotel staff – $1 – $2 USD if someone helps you with luggage or anything else
• Your drivers – We recommend a tip of $10 USD for shorter drives and $20 USD for drives of over 4 hours
• Your guides – We recommend tipping your guides $10 – $15 USD for half-day tours and $20 – $30 USD for full-day tours

Food / Water

Tap water in Singapore is perfectly safe to drink, but in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand it’s not ideal for drinking and you should always opt for bottled water. Many travelers also opt for bottled water to brush their teeth in these three countries.

All of the food provided during your tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water, so the chances of getting a stomach bug are slim. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.

Staying Connected

All of the countries you’re visiting have generally strong internet connection in the main cities and all of your accommodations will have WiFi. However, you can expect weaker connections in rural areas, with occasional poor connectivity.

The easiest way to stay connected during the tour will be to purchase a regional E–SIM before the trip, as this will allow you to stay connected from the moment you land at the airport. Regional E-SIM’s allow you to be connected from all of the countries you’re visiting with one single E-SIM.

Another option is to activate your home network’s ‘international plan’ which will allow you to continue using your phone as you would at home, with access to a data connection, for a fee that usually ranges from $5 – $10 per day.

Safety

Safety Tips

Weather / Packing

Clothing Requirements

In all of the countries, locals typically wear clothes similar to what you’d see in the West. As a result, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable in. However, when visiting temples and sacred places, it is required to cover your legs and wear shirts with at least short sleeves. You can purchase a sarong to wrap around your legs outside of some temples to ensure you’re dressed appropriately.

Laundry services will be available at every hotel. If you require laundry, we suggest having it done at hotels where you are spending at least 2 nights.

Packing

If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.

Flight Luggage Restrictions

For this tour you will take multiple flights within and between countries. For each flight you’re allowed one checked bag each of up to 44 lbs (20 kg), one carry-on each of up to 22 lbs (10 kg) (max size 22″x14″x9″), plus one small personal item each that fits under the seat.